First Holy Communions. Last weekend was a busy one for Fr. Pat and Fr. Damian who, between them, celebrated First Holy Communion ceremonies for the six schools in the Imeall Boirne Cluster. In this parish, the children from Toonagh School received the Sacrament in St. Tola’s Church, Dysart, they were Jack Casey, Emma Brohan, Ellie May Carroll, Orlaith Flanagan, Maria Hurley, Isobel O’Leary, Rachael Pegg, Sophia Tracey and Samantha Vaughan. They were accompanied by their teachers Mr. Eustace and Ms. Brosnan. Fiona Lyons added her musical talents to the ceremony. The visit of the ice cream van afterwards was greeted enthusiastically by the children. In Ruan, it was the turn of schoolchildren from Ruan School, Joan Casey, Grace Forde, Lila Feighery, Saoirse Lecathelinais, Saul McGibney, Caitlin Moloney, Tola O’Brien, Aideen O’Connor, Fionn O’Halloran, Orla O’Connor, Leah O’Loughlin, Molly O’Malley, Cian O’Toole and Odhran Ryan. Their teacher was Ms. Ni Chonghaile. Fiona Lyons sang, accompanied by Michael Hennessy. Recent Death. The death has taken place of Toonagh’s oldest resident, Michael Whelan, in U.H.L., after a short illness, theee months after his beloved wife, May. Michael was born in Toonagh on July 12, 1931 and spent all his life working the family farm. His late father, Bill, had spent some years in New York City and he had a car which the Whelan family learned to drive at an early age. Michael acquired the first tractor in Toonagh in 1951. He had a passion for the land, animals and nature and, in the ‘70’s he changed from dairy to dry stock farming. He grew vegetables and fields of corn, spending many a winters night in a barn crushing corn with the tractor. He was always seeking to improve the land, clearing crags, hills and rocks. He regularly attended the mart and he was known to have been a great judge of cattle and sheep. Michael was instrumental in setting up Muintir na Tire in Toonagh, and with a group of like minded people, they built Toonagh Hall, holding marquees to raise funds to provide the Community Centre that has proved such a valuable asset to the community, and in 1981 the family gave the site on which the sports complex is built. The Whelan family also gave the site for Toonagh School and, in later years, allowed the school to expand with new classrooms and a playing field. Michael and his wife, May, celebrated 60 years of marriage in June and, sadly, May died shortly afterwards. Michael’s requiem mass was celebrated in St. Tola’s Church, Dysart, following which he was laid to rest in Drumcliffe Cemetery. His grandchildren played a traditional tribute at his graveside. He is survived by his daughters Anne (Cooney), Marie (Neylon), sons Ger and Gus, sons in law, daughters in law, brother Des, grandchildren, relations and many friends. Camogie. The adult Camogie team played Inagh/Kilnamona on Saturday evening in Inagh, and after a tough game, it ended in a draw. They now play Kilkishen/Bodyke in Ruan next Sat. The u13’s played Newmarket on Fergus in the semi final on Sunday, however, Newmarket proved too strong and came out on top on the day. The Ruan girls are now through to the u13A Shield Final against Kilkishen/Bodyke on Saturday, time and venue to be decided. Ruan GAA. Ruan Intermediate team had a two point win over Corofin on Saturday in Sixmilebridge. It was a hard fought but deserved win for the Ruan team, bringing Ruan into the semifinal of the Championship in two weeks time. The u13B Corofin/Ruan team had a win over Smith O’Brien’s in Ruan last week and they now play Crusheen/The ubber in the Shield Final. The u17C team were beateN by Scariff/Ogonelloe at the weekend in Ogonelloe.
|
Notes for October >